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Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan– The U.S.-led international coalition launched raids on the oil-rich village of Kabiba (20 km east of Islamists-held town of Shaddadi in al-Hasakah’s south), targeting the headquarters of the Islamic State group (IS/ISIS).

Speaking to ARA News in Shaddadi, Anas Ibrahim, a civil rights activist, said that Shaddadi’s bombings were the deadliest since the start of the coalition’s campaign against the IS radical group.

“Pillars of fumes were seen in the sky as a result of the fire and oil tankers burning in the region,” he said.

“Most of the violent bombings took place near the refined oil market of Joyce well, which is known for its profuse production. Joyce well is surrounded with residential buildings and shops,” Ibrahim added. “The area became vital in terms of economy, so people of the region used to open shops”.

He also pointed out that these areas (Shaddadi and its neighboring villages) are deemed sensitive region where large vehicles of tanks and trucks are seen transporting oil shipments to other regions.

“However, we can not know the real damage and human losses due to the continuation of the ongoing airstrikes by the coalition’s fighter jets,” Ibrahim reported.

Noteworthy, this is the third time that U.S.-led raids targeted the area in less than a month, during which dozens of IS militants were killed as well as 10 civilians, including a child.